Let’s Talk About Andy Andreoff, Brandon Kozun & Drew Doughty

One kid who impressed Dean Lombardi at development camp was Andy Andreoff, a 6 foot tall, 185 pound center who plays a nice two-way game and has that “Clifford” edge about him. While he is still young and probably not ready for a bottom 6 role, Andy turned heads and not the traditional way he is used to doing it – the latter being planting his fist to the opponent’s right cheek.

Brandon Kozun should bring everything he has to training camp…and nobody should have to remind him of that for him to know it. The coaches like him. Lombardi likes him. I love him…and my vote doesn’t count. Brandon has every bit of the Martin St. Louis potential within that alleged 5’8″, 180 pound frame and in this NHL, the one that places a premium on speed and scoring ability & not necessarily size, a third or fourth line wing position is his to lose this coming season. Before you tell me, “but he’s still too young…” He’s 21. If he is mentally ready, he is ready.

Here is something else you can “relax” about regarding Drew Doughty – he is hard at work on his workout regime, the one our strength and conditioning coach Tim Adams assigned, and I hear Drew has every intention of coming into camp in top shape. For those who have engaged in intense cardio workouts on the sand and have had the pleasure of being in the weight room every day doing switch outs, you very much feel Drew’s pain…and gain.

Development. It will be a small (?) but genuinely satisfying moment when the subject leads beyond Luc (with Smith, Goring, Murphy et. al. left ah,…unsaid). Two goaltenders? Its impressive – the Kings in their entire history have developed one championship goalie (Billy Smith – god how that always hurts) and fielded three such goalies (Rogie, Kelly & the Cat- Gary was an exceptional backup and I don’t buy Mario Lessard on a real contender). I believe that
this approach sets the organization of this time apart from all prior periods – in the right way.

Bear down Chicago Bears – and Fuck you very much Jerry Angelo. Can’t wait to lose to the Lions, not to mention the potato-eaters up the road. The weather in Jan. won’t help if we’re forced to play in Atlanta, now will it? But nice job getting another punter…

Sorry, guys – hockey, football and boxing synapses pretty much fried and stuck together up there…